Work Hard...Play Hard

Monday, February 27, 2012

Whoa, so I started this post back in January (I guess I've been a bit side-tracked the past two months). Anyhoo, today while procrastinating from studying for my Series 7(stock broker exam), I decided to revisit it (so I apologize if it's a bit New Years-ish (I think I made up that word).

What will 2012 bring?

First, the exciting news: I was selected for the Wattie Ink Elite Team. This is an amazing group of like-minded athletes, and amazing sponsors. I'm honored and feel very lucky! Much more to come on this as the season progresses...

I've planned my race schedule and have good stuff ahead. First up...NOLA 70.3. I swore I wouldn't do this one after they cancelled the swim in both this and the 5150 last year (seriously, I NEED the swim), but I'm a sucker for discounts and the $50 off lured me in.

I guess the New Year, New Me...also includes the personal front. Going through my divorce last year was the hardest thing I've ever ever gone through. However, from the experience, I've gained so much strength and perspective (plus, I've been reminded of what amazing friends and family I have). It's taken a long time to get to this point but I finally feel myself again, and happy.

So, I'm ready for the challenges and adventures that 2012 brings. I'm ready for race day and life magic.

For now, it's back to studying so I can pay my bills and do this sport I love :)

Friday, December 23, 2011

Since I haven't shared much about my life in New Orleans (other than the fact it was a tough year on a personal front), I figured photos could add some color (they also remind me of how lucky I am to have such great friends)

Mardi Gras 2011

Out on Lake P with the girls

Love playing dress up...

Oh yes, I did still find time to train, and race hard...

Still working on my run form. Project dont-run-like-a-dancer/breaststroker continues in 2012

Sunday, December 4, 2011

At a very young age, my father told me an important lesson in fortitude: no matter how tough the going gets, you need to be able to hold your head up high, throw your shoulders back, look the world straight in the eye and say “You can’t hurt me.”

Friday, December 31, 2010

It's hard to believe 2010 is almost over. It’s been a year of change in life (new city, new job, new friends), and a year of patience on the triathlon front (getting the hip through rehab).

Moving into 2011, I’m smiling. I’m loving New Orleans, my new job, have made some great friends and am really enjoying life. I’m also in a great place with my hip. The patience and persistence required to get where I wanted to be was much harder than I ever expected but it feels good to finally be back at it again and pain free.

So what’s in store for 2011 and triathlon? Good stuff…

I’m ready to race, still strengthening the hip….keeping up with the rehab exercises, and lots of TRX.

I started working with a running coach. His coaching philosophy seems to be working really well for me. He has me running more often than I have in the past, but not as long each time and each workout has a purpose.

I’m signed up for the NOLA 70.3 and going to focus on this as an A race. Other than that, I’m going to focus on the Olympic Distance triathlons this year. I like this distance, and hopefully with some running help, I can get better at it.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The title says it all. I've stepped out of my comfort zone both on the job and training/racing front. I highly recommend it.

After 7 years, I left my public relations/marketing job to work as a research editor for an investment bank. I'm a bit overwhelmed and there is a learning curve, but I'm thrilled to have this job. For the first time in years, I actually enjoy getting up each day for work.

On the training side, I decided it was time for me to try to ride with people faster than me again. No more riding solo. I found a great group that I can barely keep up with...really I suck wheel the whole ride. However, it's fun and it's making me stronger.

And, what I consider a HUGE comfort zone breaker...I raced a duathlon last weekend. I've always stayed away from races that didn't involve swimming (my only strength), but a bunch of my new friends were doing it, so I reluctantly signed up. It was hot and painful but I won my age group, and even better...in my first race since hip surgery, the hip was pain free. Yay!

This weekend I'm headed down to the Bayou to race...should be an experience.

Friday, August 6, 2010

As a triathlete, I spend a lot of time riding and running down roads. Usually, the road just represents a means for getting me from point a to b.

However, as I was downloading pictures from our camera, I noticed that I had numerous photos of roads. They weren’t taken with any real purpose and none of them are particularly breathtaking. However, to me they are all meaningful.

You see each of the roads below represent a place that I’ve lived. Each is a piece of my life story:

The first road is Albuquerque, NM—the one I grew up on. It’s where I was born and raised. It’s where my family is and a place I can always call home. It’s where I made some of my lifetime best friends and it’s where my journey started.

The second road is San Diego, CA—the road that now feels like home. It’s also the road where I feel like I really began life’s journey. It’s where I was fortunate enough to go to college (and swim), work for amazing companies, get into triahtlon, and meet up with my now husband. It’s a road that challenged me, taught me strength and perseverance and was paved with good times and some of the most influential and amazing people in my life.

The third road is Akron, OH—the road I didn’t really want to take. It was a lonely road at first. It was a road paved with challenges and bumps…being so far away from family and friends. Constrained to the house after hip surgery. Dealing with the cold. It was made bearable because I was taking it with someone I loved…but it was tough in the beginning. However, somewhere along this road, it became bearable—even enjoyable. I met some amazing people and was able to see and experience a part of the U.S that I never would have. On this road, I learned that your journey is what you make of it.

The fourth road is New Orleans, LA—I don’t know what this road will mean to my life. I’m back on the job market (not fun). However, I’ve learned that change is good sometimes and after being with my company for seven years, maybe I need this change (that’s my positive thinking). I’m back into triathlon training injury free (finally!) and just enjoying the city and experience for what it is. I really do like it here. There’s just something about this city that makes you smile.

So, there are my roads. I hope that this list grows someday. I didn’t always feel this way. There was a time when change really scared me. Now, I’ve learned to embrace it. Each time I’ve had to take a new “road in life” I’ve learned a little more about myself and have been forced out of my element. Change is one thing I wasn’t always comfortable with but something that I’m finding to be part of what makes life exciting….

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I think I'm officially scared of running. I'm hoping now that I've admitted it...I'll get over it because I realize this is ridiculous! Since I received clearance to start weight bearing on the hip I've been playing it safe. I went to see a running specialist and got a gait analysis; bought new shoes; have been working with a coach on a weight/core program to get myself prepared; and have a great 12 week running program to follow. Now that I've been told I'm actually able/safe to run...I'm freaking out.

Here is what went though my head on my run today:

"Do my shoes feel funny? Should I really be in a neutral shoe? Am I landing too hard? Is my hip flexor hurting, or just a little tight? Was releasing my illipsoas tendon bad for my running? Does my hip hurt or do I just think it hurts...it feels funny? Am I running too slow? Will I ever run fast in my life? Was running always this hard? Oh no, what's that I feel in my left hip? Great, am I overcompensating? Maybe I should stop?"

See...I have issues. By the end of the run, I needed a drink to chill myself out!Kidding, but really, hopefully this gets easier.